Counseling for Increasing Happiness in Columbia, SC

Think about the people in your life for a moment. Do you know someone who is genuinely happy? Most likely you do. Now, think about the lives these happy people lead. What is going on in their life right now? Do they have bad days? Most likely, they do. Are they facing a hardship? Again, most likely, they are. The strange thing is that happy people are not usually happy because their lives are easier. No, happy people live in the same chaotic and crazy world as everyone else. Yet, these happy people can belt out the lyrics to “Happy” with Pharrell,

Here come bad news talking this and that
Yeah, give me all you got, don’t hold back
Yeah, well I should probably warn you I’ll be just fine
Yeah, no offense to you don’t waste your time
Here’s why: Because I’m happy…
—“Happy”

What is their secret to riding life’s rollercoaster with a smile instead of a grimace? Everyone who has a blog or podcast also has a suggestion: Make more friends. Try Pilates. Eat these foods. Start each day with a power pose. The good news is that new research has shown that it is possible to become a happier person if people can cut through the clickbait and practice sound mental health exercises.

The process of becoming a happier person is very similar to the process of becoming a physically stronger person. People all have a unique body type and a particular strength level, but when they participate in physical exercises that boost muscle tone, they can improve. Using the right exercises that benefit their body type is important. In a similar way, people have a particular level of happiness they feel, but with the right emotional exercises, they can improve. Many people are looking toward mental health professionals to find a training plan that works best for them.

The counselors at Thriveworks Columbia can distinguish between healthy mental habits and exercises that waste people’s time. If you want to be happier but are not sure how, we are happy to come alongside our clients and guide their way.

Grounding Happiness

There are few guarantees in life, but one is that many things are outside of people’s influence and control. And yet, people often look toward these unstable sources for their personal happiness. Take, for examples, the following situations:

Your team won the big game last weekend. You cannot remember the last time you felt so good.

You were looking forward to a particular entrée at a particular restaurant, but they are out of it. The whole weekend is now shot.

Do either of these situations sound familiar? Most likely, they do. The details may vary, but there is a regular formula: positive results=positive emotions, negative results=negative emotions. The challenge comes because most people have no say in these outcomes. Therefore, happiness seems random and out-of-control.

But happiness is not random. People can look to a different, more stable source of happiness. It can take time to train their emotions, but over time, people can experience a more grounded, stable happiness.

The process begins with emotional habits that within people’s control. Many people unknowingly obstruct their own happiness. When they identify these negative patterns, they can replace them with positive emotional habits that build up happiness.

Obstructing Happiness

Of course, no one intends to make themselves miserable, but certain habits that people indulge could be doing just that. The following are examples of ways people obstruct their own happiness:

Comparison: Looking around at what others have or what they are doing or how they look often produces feelings of inferiority or superiority—not happiness.

Entitlement: In The Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson perfectly describe how people become happy: they pursue it. Waiting for happiness to materialize without effort is a waste of time.

Building Up Happiness

When people abandon blame, entitlement, and comparison, they have room for healthier, more positive emotional habits. These positive habits are often the soil upon which happiness grows.

Skilled counselors can point people to which emotional habits they should pay particular attention, but the following lists examples of such habits.

Setting a goal – A personal or professional goal can bring focus and excitement to people’s lives. Setting reasonable and achievable targets is the key.

Practicing mindfulness – When people pay attention to what they are truly feeling, thinking, and sensing, they often grow in their self-awareness. The key is observing without judgment or analysis.

Promoting thankfulness – Writing down a few things each day for which people are grateful means that their minds become focused upon the beautiful, kind, and good things in their life. The key is consistency—taking a moment every day for thankfulness.

When it comes to making positive emotional change, small, consistent steps often take people a long way. When these habits are consistently embraced, people often find that a stable happiness is within their grasp.

Increased Happiness Therapy at Thriveworks Columbia

Being a happier person often means learning new emotional habits. Unfortunately, there are no short-cuts, quick-fixes, or magic formulas for experiencing more joy. Fortunately, there is help. No one has to prioritize their happiness alone. Thriveworks Columbia offers therapy for increased happiness.

If you want to speak to a therapist about how to live a happier life, know that many new clients at Thriveworks Columbia meet with their therapist within 24 hours of their call to us. We do not keep a waitlist, but we do offer weekend and evening appointments. We also accept most forms of insurance.

People Love Our Providers!

Patrick is a STAR

★★★★★

I was ready to give up hope of ever healing from PTSD when I found Thriveworks. Patrick’s approach using CPT...Read more

worked when traditional counseling by several other therapists had failed. I really was beginning to believe PTSD was just something I’d have to learn to live with, but Patrick taught me how to work through my issues using the worksheets on my own. As a military spouse, my time with Patrick had a deadline as my husband’s service time at Fort Jackson came to a close. Patrick ensured that I took with me the tools to continue working through my issues long after leaving his office. I can’t thank him enough for changing my inner voice, and giving me the power to stop negative thoughts and process them in a healthy way. Patrick changed my life and after struggling for all of my adult life, I finally have the confidence to live without shame and understand my value. He has a deep understanding of the unique struggles military couples face, and worked tirelessly with my husband and me. Thank you, and Patrick, for teaching me how to save myself and my marriage.

Be your on critic

★★★★★

I've been in and out of therapy and hospitals over the past couple of years. I have had bouts of depression a...Read more

nd a lot of trauma that I have had to work through. I also have a pattern of running away and getting mad when I'm challenged or things don't go my way, but this time I didn't run and haven't ran.
Dr. Pena was very encouraging, down to earth, caring, and helpful which was a blessing.
But warning to all, she is a busy lady and sometimes getting an apt can be tricky. But she will make time and do what she can to see you. My advice is get in and keep your apps, because there is a reason she is busy, but never too busy to return a text or come in when she didn't have to. Thank you because that little bit of care and time actually meant more to me than anyone can imagine.

Highly Recommend

Patrick is great! He challenges you, but in a constructive manner. Scheduling with Thriveworks is amazing!

- T.M

Thriveworks Counseling Columbia

Patrick is a STAR

★★★★★

I was ready to give up hope of ever healing from PTSD when I found Thriveworks. Patrick’s approach using CPT...Read more

worked when traditional counseling by several other therapists had failed. I really was beginning to believe PTSD was just something I’d have to learn to live with, but Patrick taught me how to work through my issues using the worksheets on my own. As a military spouse, my time with Patrick had a deadline as my husband’s service time at Fort Jackson came to a close. Patrick ensured that I took with me the tools to continue working through my issues long after leaving his office. I can’t thank him enough for changing my inner voice, and giving me the power to stop negative thoughts and process them in a healthy way. Patrick changed my life and after struggling for all of my adult life, I finally have the confidence to live without shame and understand my value. He has a deep understanding of the unique struggles military couples face, and worked tirelessly with my husband and me. Thank you, and Patrick, for teaching me how to save myself and my marriage.

Be your on critic

★★★★★

I've been in and out of therapy and hospitals over the past couple of years. I have had bouts of depression a...Read more

nd a lot of trauma that I have had to work through. I also have a pattern of running away and getting mad when I'm challenged or things don't go my way, but this time I didn't run and haven't ran.
Dr. Pena was very encouraging, down to earth, caring, and helpful which was a blessing.
But warning to all, she is a busy lady and sometimes getting an apt can be tricky. But she will make time and do what she can to see you. My advice is get in and keep your apps, because there is a reason she is busy, but never too busy to return a text or come in when she didn't have to. Thank you because that little bit of care and time actually meant more to me than anyone can imagine.

Highly Recommend

Patrick is great! He challenges you, but in a constructive manner. Scheduling with Thriveworks is amazing!

- T.M

Thriveworks Counseling Columbia

Best money ever spent

★★★★★

This place is amazing and what therapy is about. Dr. Pena, Patrick, James, Rachell, it really doesn't matter w...Read more

ho you are going to see you will be cared for. Accountability and commitment to helping you move forward with whatever issues you face is where they shine. They listen, they care, they help you set small goals and they help give you the tools you need succeed with your goal. Couldn't ask for a better set up and a great location!

the Oasis amongst my chaos

★★★★★

Deceived into moving to this city, I sought marriage counseling and tried three separate counselors and an add...Read more

itional counselor after I was abandoned. Not only did those other counselors not listen properly to be able to understand the dynamics of my situation, they didn't have the proper experience to recognize the complexity of the symptoms I was displaying, nor could they fully understand what I was going through. How can someone help us if they don't understand? They can't. Nor can we teach our children to tie their shoes if we don't know how to tie shoes ourselves. Even though I knew the name of the abuse I was subjected to, I was emotionally dismissed by other counselors throughout the city. Once I found Dr. Pena and read through all her credentials, her experience, her specialties, her background and experience with the Military, I thought she sounded too good to be true. With the complexities of what my family has been through, I finally found some hope again. Dr. Pena is highly intelligent, compassionate, patient, quick witted and humorous. She also pulls no punches, which is what we need sometimes. I only wish I would have found her sooner so I didn't have to go through the hell I've been through alone, without her proper guidance. I am eager to continue learning the coping strategies she's teaching me and to continue to heal and grow as an individual and as a parent. Until my journey is complete and my heart and soul are healed, Dr. Pena shall remain the Oasis amongst my chaos.

will never leave thriveworks!!

★★★★★

Absolutely love and the staff! They genuinely care about me and my family! We are not an instance claim.or a c...Read more

ase number, we are individuals and treated as such! I would never recommend another theraputical office to anyone else.! I wish I could give 10 stars because they deserve it!!!! HIGHLY recommend to anyone seeking services!